Plasma infusor



L- J. DINGER PLASMA INFUSOR Nov. 26, 1968 2, Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.5. 1966 L. J. DINGER PLASMA INFUSOR Nov. 26, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledDec. 5, 1966 United States Patent 3,412,906 PLASMA INFUSOR Leon JoelDinger, Harrisburg, Pa., assignor to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.Filed Dec. 5, 1966, Ser. No. 599,317 1 Claim. (Cl. 222-183) ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to the art of plasma infusors andmore particularly to a new and novel device which facilitates emergencyblood transfusions.

Btrief summary of the invention Blood transfusions which are given inthe field particularly under battlefield conditions normally requirethat the bag of plasma be held in an elevated position above the patientto provide the energy for moving the plasma from the bag into thepatient. These transfusions are often given while the patient is beingmoved and therefore it is a difficult task to keep the plasma bag in itselevated position. This invention provides a device which is capable oftransferring plasma from a bag into a patient without the necessity ofelevating the bag thereby permitting the plasma bag to lie immediatelyadjacent the patient.

Specification The principal object of the present invention is toprovide a plasma infusor which avoids the drawbacks set forth above.

Another object is to provide a plasma infusor which delivers plasma to apatient without the necessity of utilizing potential energy.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings inwhich there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of theinvention; it is to be understood, however, that this embodiment is notintended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but is given forpurpose of illustration in order that others skilled in the art mayfully understand the invention and the principles thereof and the mannerof applying it in practical use so that they may modify it in variousforms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use.

In the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the presentinvention and showing the device in its unassembled or exploded form;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 1 and showing thedevice in its assembled position;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view showing the device of FIGURE 2 afterthe device is filled with plasma;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3and showing details of the valve and seal configuration; and

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIGURE 3showing details of a plug and seal.

Turning now to the drawings there is shown a plasma infusor 10 capableof receiving and holding a quantity of plasma for subsequent use duringa blood transfusion or the like. The infusor 10 comprises a front plate12 having an aperture 12a extending therethrough. The plate 12 furtherhas a boss 12b extending therefrom for retaining therein a valveassembly 14. The valve 14 has a passageway 14a therein for permittingthe passage of fluid and has an O-ring 14b which cooperates withaperture 12a to provide a fluid tight seal.

An elongated, hollow, cylindrical member 16 is provided and is securedto the plate 12 by a metallic ring 18 which is mechanically deformableto cause a tight engagement between member 16 and plate 12. The member16 is preferably polyethylene or similar material.

An elastic member 20 is disposed within the member 16 and is secured atone end to the boss 12b by means of a metallic ring 22 which, like thering 18, is mechanically deformable to provide a tight seal between themember 20 and the boss 12b. A second end of the elastic member 20 isprovided with a plug means 24 insertable within said second end of theelastic member and held therein by means of the metallic ring 26 whichis similar to the rings 18 and 22 previously described. The plug 24 isprovided with a strap 24a for a purpose to be described.

The infusor as shown in FIGURE 2 is in position to receive plasma. Toaccomplish this the valve 14' is rotated to an open position whereinthere is communication between the valve passageway 14a, the plateaperture 12a, and the interior of the elastic member 20. The strap 24awill be grasped and pulled in a direction away from the plate 12 tothereby stretch the member 20 in a balloon fashion. The plasma will thenbe admitted through the valve 14 and will fill the elastic member 20-causing member 20 to expand radially into the position shown in FIG-URES 3 and 4, member 16 serving as a limiting enclosure to insure properfilling of the member 20.

When member 20 has been filled with plasma the valve assembly 14 will bemoved to its closed position to thus provide an air-tight device capableof holding and storing the plasma. When the plasma within the device isto be used for transfusion or similar purposes the valve 14 is securedto a tube leading from a hypodermic syringe. With the hypodermicadministered to the patient the infusor may be positioned along side ofthe patient and at the same height as the patient. Valve 14 is thenmoved to its open position thus allowing the flow of plasmatherethrough. The contractive force of the elastic mem ber 20 issufllcient to move the plasma into the patient without the necessity ofelevating the plasma to provide potential energy. When member 20 hasfully contracted the plasma will have been delivered to the patient andthe valve 14 will then be closed and a transfusion will be completed.

The metallic rings 18, 22 and 26 provide the firmness of connectionwhich is essential due to the high forces which are developed within thedevice when the device is filled with plasma. The rings are applied witha crimping operation to provide both a firm mechanical connection and afluid tight seal.

Changes in construction will occur to those skilled in the art andvarious apparently different modifications and embodiments may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention. The matter set forthin the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by wayof illustration only. The actual scope of the invention is intended tobe defined in the following claims when viewed in their properperspective against the prior art.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for storing and infusing blood plasma or similar fluid, saiddevice comprising plate means, a boss extending from said plate means,an aperture extending through said plate means and said boss, valvemeans disposed in said aperture for controlling the flow of liquidtherethrough, an annular flange disposed around the outer periphery ofsaid plate means, an elongated cylindrical member having an endoverlying said annular flange, mechanically deformable means surroundingsaid end for securing said cylindrical member to said annular flange, anelastic inflatable member disposed within said cylindrical member, saidelastic member having a first end overlying said boss, mechanicallydeformable means surrounding said first end for securing said elasticmember to said plate means with the interior of said elastic memberbeing in communication with said valve means, said elastic mem her beingcapable of radial expansion Within limits defined by said cylindricalmember upon the introduction of fluid through said valve means into saidelastic member, plug means disposed Within a second end of said elasticmember, mechanically deformable means surrounding said second end forsecuring said plug means to said elastic member, and means extendingfrom said plug means 4 for facilitating axial elongation of said elasticmember, said cylindrical member having an open end for permitting saidaxial elongation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 676,012 6/1901 Stafford 222-1072,816,691 12/1957 Ward 222-483 2,855,933 10/1958 Erikson 1282722,876,768 3/1959 Schultz 128214 2,966,282 12/ 1960 Geisler 222107 X3,032,037 5/ 1962 Huber 128276 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

N. L. STACK, Assistant Examiner.

